Sanofi to visit San Francisco Walgreens on the next stop of its VacciNation Tour

By Michael Johnsen

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi Pasteur will bring its Fluzone Intradermal Vaccine Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour to a San Francisco Walgreens on Oct. 6 as part of its cross-country efforts to raise awareness about the seriousness of influenza and the various vaccine options that are available for adults 18 to 64 years of age this flu season.

"The one thing we know about flu season is that it's unpredictable, and the single most important thing people can do to help prevent getting or spreading the flu is to get their annual flu vaccination," stated Melanie Malee, Walgreens market pharmacy director. "These events are an opportunity to talk with customers and others in the community about influenza and which vaccine option may be right for them. Helping protect more people from the flu is one of the ways we aim to help customers get, stay and live well."

Results from a recent national telephone survey of 663 adults revealed that low rates of vaccinations against the flu highlight a disconnect between fear and action, as 2-out-of-every-3 (67%) adults 18 through 64 years of age said if they had influenza, they fear spreading the virus to their loved ones, yet 3-in-5 (61%) adults said they are not vaccinated annually.

The survey also showed that 53% of adults 18 through 64 years of age who were vaccinated annually reported that their vaccination experience would be better if the needle was much smaller, and 65% said their experience would be better if access to the flu shot was more convenient.

A local survey of 401 adults in San Francisco revealed similar results as nearly 3-out-of-every-4 (73%) of adults 18 through 64 years of age said if they had influenza, they fear spreading the virus to their loved ones, yet more than half (55%) of adults said they are not vaccinated annually.

The Coop de Quill vehicle, which features a supersized rooftop 3-D structure of the Fluzone Intradermal vaccine, will be on-site.